I am writing in appreciative response to the letter to the News-Herald from RN Paul Dahl on Jan. 11, 2014.
Since I have retired, I have been volunteering at Cook County Senior Center. My time there has been a learning experience and very rewarding.
During my years at the Cook County Senior Center, I see the need for assisted living within the community. Yes, Paul, there are local residents living at the Silver Bay facility. This poses a significant struggle for family and loved ones to have to travel so far to visit. This really poses a problem with our long winters and bad weather.
There have also been local citizens who have moved from the community, because there was no place to be assisted with their living. I know there are several senior citizens currently living in the community, struggling to survive, before they die or go to the Care Center. They are struggling because they want to remain as independent as possible for as long as they can. I know the Cook County Care Center is a respected and lovely place, but everyone does not always need that level of care.
Is it possible, at the least, to have four or six rooms designated for assisted living in the Care Center? A freestanding facility similar to the one in Silver Bay is preferable, according to the information I get from the seniors. These senior citizens have given so much to our community, past and present.
They deserve to stay here, continuing to live in our loving community.
Betty A. Larsen
Grand Marais
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